Поцесс осваивания художником действительности—тяжелый процесс. Жизнь, оплодотворяя его опытом—не церемонится, не щадит его души, но ведь только эго ее безжалостное своекорыстие и насыщает художника волей к творчеству.
The assimilation of reality by an artist is a difficult process. Life, using experience to make him fruitful, does not stand on ceremony nor does it spare his soul, but only life’s merciless selfishness fills the artist with the will to create.
–Maxim Gorky
from a letter to Fedin, 1926
In the midst of San Francisco is a dense concentration of buildings known as SROs—single room occupancy residential hotels—which for many years were the primary housing for San Francisco’s workforce. As a result of drastic changes in the economy and the machinations of a ruthless redevelopment agency and downtown developers, SROs are now the final remaining stronghold of affordable housing for City residents living on a low or fixed income, including the working class, seniors, persons with disabilities, and the mentally ill. Sorely in need of upgrades and repairs, some of them standing in areas long ago deemed blighted, these SROs are considered eyesores by many, when in fact most of them are beautiful examples of an urban style of architecture that gives the central city its own unique ambiance. Built mainly in the two-and-a-half decades following the 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco’s residential hotels embodied the concepts of the City Beautiful Movement to create a modern downtown for a city whose population consisted mainly of hotel dwellers.
A few of the hotels have been restored and are now maintained as low-income housing by nonprofit housing corporations. Through the efforts of tenant activists, living conditions have been improved in some of the profit-driven hotels. For the most part, however, SROs are neglected and ill-used; decaying, often squalid housing for society’s forgotten—the poor, the outcast—scapegoats for our cultural dysfunction. For a century, the residential hotels of San Francisco’s inner city have been saturated with the sigh and tumult of human affairs. The constant flux of humanity and the countless stories unfolded within their often stained and dingy walls have bestowed upon them a fugitive beauty, a patina of human existence.
Since 1968 I had witnessed the demolition of many San Francisco neighborhoods and the resultant destruction of communities, culture, and architecture that had once helped make this city so wonderful and unique. Although I didn’t realize it when I moved into the Shree Ganeshai Hotel in 2001, circumstances would soon engage me in efforts to improve and preserve the neighborhoods of the central city. Living conditions were deplorable in most SROs. Years of neglect by property owners and an uncaring city government had taken their toll, and my hotel was no exception. By the time I began my fifth month of residency at the Shree Ganeshai, I had filed three complaints with the Department of Building Inspection and applied for a hearing with the Rent Board. Then I was invited to join the Central City SRO Collaborative, a small, newly formed organization of tenant activists dedicated to improving the quality of life in residential hotels. Before my first visit to their office was over, I had become a member of the collaborative and the tenant representative for my hotel.
The first year of my work with the collaborative was a heady time. Our numbers swelled as we honed our organizing skills and thus, too, grew our power to effect real and lasting improvements in SROs. Among our more outstanding achievements were the passage of the Sprinkler Ordinance, a law requiring all SRO hotels to install sprinklers in every room, and the Uniform Visitor Policy which protects SRO tenants from being charged additional fees for visitors and overnight guests. Unfortunately, the momentum generated by early triumphs lasted only a short time. Sacrificing independence for funding, the Central City SRO Collaborative had joined up with the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. Subject not only to that entity’s rules and regulations, but also to the political agenda of its director, the collaborative subsequently lost its way and its principle mission was subverted. Nearly all the original members, including me, long ago parted company with it.
I began photographing central city SROs near the end of 2002 with a one-megapixel digital camera that I rescued from the trash. That camera’s poor resolution and my complete lack of experience with photo processing software and file formatting, combined with personal vanity and a lifelong, hard-headed insistence on learning everything the hard way, guaranteed that much of my early photography would never see the light of day. Several years have elapsed since I began this project and in that time I have gradually acquired better equipment and enhanced my knowledge and experience. Far more important than the details of my learning curve is the reason for my somewhat single-minded devotion to photographing the central city. Beginning as a desire to capture the decaying beauty of its architecture and to make an historical record, over time it also became a tool to both publicize the plight of SRO residents and promote the architectural preservation of central city neighborhoods. In 2004 I began compiling my photos and research as The Hotel Project, which in 2008 became Up From The Deep, a work in three volumes: Sixth Street, Mid-Market, and The Tenderloin. Containing architectural data for many of the buildings I photographed and historical background for each of the districts that comprise the central city, it also documents my perceptions during the time I resided in a Sixth Street hotel and is my attempt to expand, if only in a small way, the boundaries of what is perceived as beautiful.
Copyright © 2008, Mark Ellinger
Except where otherwise indicated, text and photos on this site are copyright © 2004-2015, Mark Ellinger. Any use and/or duplication of this material without prior written permission from the author is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mark Ellinger and with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Hello:
I was researching some family history and it was wonderful to be able to know the history of 555 Eddy. It was built by my ancestor Sam Dusenbery. The Dusenberys owned a general store in Walla Walla, Washington and also had a number of real estate holdings in San Francisco. They traveled between the two, preferring San Francisco but maintaining their business in Walla Walla in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
My mother was an architectural photographer in New York for many years after World War II, and would have enjoyed your work very much, as do I.
My son now lives in San Francisco – generations seem to repeat history. Next trip, I’ll have a much better understanding of the city from your work.
Thanks.
Lea
Good day to you! I am deeply moved by your story and your images. As a native San Franciscan I find that you’ve captured much of what I love about the cities environment, the constant and ever changing relationships between these historic buildings, the San Francisco sky, and the incredible light that reveals it all in continuous transformation. You have an incredible eye for color. I came upon your sight doing some research for the Gray Area Foundation of the Arts, recently relocated to 55 Taylor Street in the former “Art Theaters” porn arcade. I was hoping you might have an image looking north up Taylor from Market, but could not find one. (Though I did find one looking south!) Thank you so much for sharing your work. It is quite the treasure trove in my research.
best wishes,
Elizabeth
Thanks, Elizabeth. Further communication to follow via email. Check your inbox!
Aha – and now I understand why I was so impressed with your photographs and writings. Water always does seek its own level. I too am an ex drug addict and I too made my transition from junkie to an “addict in recovery” while living in the SRO hotels of San Francisco. My first program was right on the corner of Eddy and Hyde (Baart Program – they later moved to Geary St) and so there I went six days a week after which we’d all go to the Lafeyette Coffee Club across the street and eat oatmeal and drink coffee – all prepared for us by Jack who was also the owner. Looking at your wonderful photograph of the place I can see someone who resembles Jack still cooking at the grill behind the counter and I can also see some of the booths and tables where I used to sit. It looks like always.
I’ve spent a lot of time here at your website and obviously will be spending a lot more. I’m still doing pretty good re drugs – clean fifteen years now (except for my Methadone). Otherwise, I don’t even smoke cigarettes anymore although I do indulge in a puff of you know what now and then when I can afford it. I remember going to the Weed Big Top and getting my supply from Dennis Perone and Norma, the gal who would bag up our orders for us from the varying bowls of wonderful pot. Sad to say but NYC is sorely lacking when it comes to Medical Marijuana. It’s just about non existent for all intents and purposes. I don’t think you can even get a card. Oh well, maybe soon. Meanwhile, I guess I’ll be talking to you again. Hope you’re able to continue to maintain and keep yourself above water – well, at least your head. :)~
Yes, indeed. Check your email, Anntelope.
Pingback: All that is the Tenderloin hotels « Tenderblog
Maybe Mark or others will be interested in this:
http://www.firstpersonarts.org/
Dear Mark:
I wasn’t sure if my comment had gone through, so thankfully it did and glad to find your lovely commenting back…thank you for your kind remarks!
I think I have seen you too near SOMA! Did you ever attend re-development meetings? my friend Wilma Parker used to attend weekly for the past 6 years. Also, Brian Egg, I’m sure you have met him in the neighborhood.
and yes, perhaps we could have a two person show…that would be so fun! Are you currently working on a new portfolio? I am wanting to exhibit my remaining SOMA series, as the majority have sold, yet I still have enough to show. I am currently painting two new paintings of SOMA, which I will include in the book.
anyways, very nice to connect with you. Do feel free to email me back at my yahoo account.
have a great day and weekend.
take care,
Patricia
Do keep me posted of any news….